Dr Sulaiman al-Fahim, the new owner of Manchester City, had been in charge at Eastlands only 24 hours when he declared that his new club had usurped their bitterest rivals as the biggest in the world. Little wonder that Ryan Giggs has taken about the same time to dismiss that claim, insisting that it will be decades for City to match Manchester United's stature.

"City have the richest owner in the world but I still see United as the biggest club in the world," the winger said. "United have a status and history that has taken years to build up. It stretches back to the Busby Babes, to players like Bobby Charlton and George Best. It will be very interesting to see what happens at City, but what we have at United is very special.

"You see it when we go abroad in pre-season, you appreciate how popular United is. We have fans in India, China, South America. That popularity is a result of our history. Money can't necessarily get you that."

Al-Fahim stunned football this week when he confirmed that his investment group, Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment, had bought City for £200 million. A successful £34.2 million bid for Robinho as well as an audacious attempt to sign Dimitar Berbatov on transfer deadline day had fans speculating on how quickly City could challenge for major trophies.

However, as a player who has spent his career with a side that is expected to win silverware every season, Giggs, 34, was quick to warn of the problems that come with increased expectations. He acknowledged that Chelsea were able to buy success quickly under the ownership of Roman Abramovich, but thought City could face a difficult task to equal that achievement.

"Chelsea were already a top three or four side when Abramovich took over, whereas City are more of a mid-table side," he said. "A lot will depend on the players they buy, how quickly they gel and how they handle the attention.

"People have been asking for a long time now if somebody can break into the top four. People will expect that club to be City, there will be a lot of pressure on them each season now. Everybody's attention will be on Manchester."

United signed Berbatov after a protracted pursuit for the former Tottenham Hotspur forward in which it was unclear where he would go until the last moments of deadline day. Giggs followed the situation with interest and is confident that the Bulgaria international will significantly improve a United team that won the Premier League and Champions League last season.

"With the transfer window, as a player you follow what's happening like a fan," he said. "You're completely in the dark about the situation, just hoping that the player will sign. So, I was delighted when the deal went through.

"I played against Berbatov last season and he stood out, really impressed. He has great technique and will provide a physical presence that we're missing up front. With Louis Saha gone, centre forward was perhaps the one area where we were weak."

The transfer saga that attracted the most coverage over the summer was that involving Cristiano Ronaldo and his apparent desire to join Real Madrid. As speculation mounted that the Portugal international was set to leave United, many wondered whether the club could cope without him, highlighting the pivotal role that he played in their success last season.

Giggs, however, denies that Ronaldo won the club their silverware. "It has always been about the team ethic at United," he says. "Edwin Van der Sar saved a penalty in the Champions League final to win us the trophy. We had the best defensive record in the Premier League last season. You have to have that platform if players like Ronaldo are going to do well."

In an appointment overshadowed by the groundbreaking events of the past week, Sir Alex Ferguson promoted Mike Phelan from within the United backroom staff to become his assistant manager. Giggs expects the former United midfield player, who replaces Carlos Queiroz - now the coach of Portugal - to play an important role in the club's season.

"I played with Mick and know him well," he said. "You always trust the manager with these things, but it is an excellent appointment. Mick knows the club well, has a very good relationship with the players and is a very good coach."